The last entry of 2008! This calls for a list.
Things I have done in 2008:
1. Turned 22
2. Student Taught and learned the struggles and rewards of teaching
3. Swam with a Master`s Team
4. Interviewed for JET
5. Coached swimming for the first time
6. Graduated college
7. Moved away from Fort Collins
8. Got accepted for the JET Program
9. Retired from my job at Foxridge after working there for 10 summers
10. Moved to Japan
11. Made new friends from all over the world
12. Tried to immerse myself in the Japanese culture
13. Lived by myself
14. Showed a friend from home my new life
15. Traveled to another country (well, I will be doing this in 2008)
16. Learned how to teach English as a second language
A milestone of a year, I'd say. I have done so many things I had never done before and I have pushed myself outside of my comfort zone time and time again. I am hoping that kind of thing builds character and that I have the greatest character ever!
Things we are doing in Thailand:
1. Elephant riding
2. Hiking
3. Ox cart riding
4. Biking through the countryside
5. Seeing shrines, temples and museums
6. Bamboo Rafting
7. Spending time in villages
8. Being complete and utter tourists.
We will then be coming back to Japan where we will play the tourist role again. I am assuming that five, big, white foreigners are going to get stared at everywhere we go, so I am going to prepare myself for that now.
Until then I will be finishing up here, going to the gym, saying goodbye to friends and packing! Happy Holidays and catch you in 2009!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Dan's Visit!
Hanging out, Mt. Aso, Suzenji Park, Kumamoto Castle, the city and more with my buddy Dan! 
Friday, December 12, 2008
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
It's the most wonderful time of the year! The time when I update my blog. And it is just that--time.
It has been a while, I am aware, but I have valid excuses to which you will read in only a few short words. So hold on to your seats because we are going to time travel back to about three weeks ago.
So I had just finished up the culture fest weekend and was slowly moving into my week of my radio debut and teaching. The days were filled with journal writing, a few scattered classes, some random studying and the nights were filled with dinner with friends, movies, skyping, a little working out and birthday celebrations heading into the weekend. We ventured into the city on that Friday hitting up our favorite Chinese restaurant and that guided me into the rest of the weekend of shopping, movies, festival-ing and social gatherings.
The festival Cassandra and I went to seemed particularly dangerous and watching half naked men run alongside wild horses got a bit old after a while, so we didn't stay the whole time. It was extremely interesting to see how the Japanese love their festivals. Just as I love my festival food. I got a few videos of the chaos I will probably be posting shortly.
That was the dreadful weekend my internet left me and didn't come back for about a week. Needless to say I was pretty devastated and my poor friends got an ear full of complaining from me. On top of being frustrated from not having internet I was having to stay late at school to record for the English listening tests and maybe because of that or it might have just been a coincidence, but I was hit hard that week with another dose of culture shock. It was a frustrating and difficult week for me, but as all bad things do, it ended and I was able to talk to my family on Thanksgiving, go out for my friend's birthday and somehow, miraculously, my internet came back to me Saturday morning. I knew it couldn't stay away for long. The mystery remains though of why it left in the first place. Maybe I was getting too clingy.
At the end of the week I was able to appreciate my time away from the computer and take a step back to realize that not having internet and staying late at school every once in a while weren't really all that bad. I even went on to admit to myself I have things pretty darn good. Aside from being overjoyed that my internet was up and running again, I was getting ready and excited for our Thanksgiving feast and of course for my good buddy Dan to come.
Well Thanksgiving FEAST we did. There is no holding back when it comes to these JET potlucks and I was extremely impressed by the delicious and creative dishes. There was chicken, there were potatoes, there were pizza roll things, there was banana bread (made in a rice cooker), there was chocolate pudding, there was corn, there was pumpkin black bean soup, there was even HOMEMADE pumpkin pie. And mac and cheese. Kraft even. We ate until our hearts content (I think my heart was about to have an attack) and enjoyed each other's company into the night.
Our drive home would have been equally enjoyable if we hadn't been flagged down and forced out of the car by the cops. Ok, so I made it sound worse than it really was. The police were doing routine breathalyzers and after giving our responsible driver one (she was in the clear, don't worry!), they realized that there were five people in the car. After some pointing and some broken and confusing words we finally understood that apparently four people is the limit for these small cars. Luckily our plan was to drop someone off at the station a few miles down the road anyway, so the waiting on the side of the road wasn't that bad. Seeing that we were all foreigners, they didn't fine us (thankfully) and we were eventually able to go on our way.
The next day I had a lot of plans to do something, but it turned into a lot of nothing which, in turn, was the best thing I ever decided to do. Sitting at my computer at about 1 in the afternoon I hear my doorbell ring. Knowing that Dan would be coming anytime my heart jumped a bit, but before I got to the door I convinced myself it was the Japanese Jehovah's Witnesses again. But after opening the door the face I saw looking back at me was one that I had seen a thousand times before and I could not have been more excited to see a tired, but smiling Dan standing on my door step!! Unbelievable! He had made it to my door with nothing but a map, some peanut butter, my address and his thumb all the way from Tokyo. After exchanging hugs and smiles we sat down and I had Dan tell me his story starting from most recent all the way back to July.
Now, not all in one sitting did he shower his experiences on me, but through the next two weeks I would learn more than I ever thought I could about not just traveling, but perception, understanding, culture and just the beauty of the world as well as the strength of a person. He showed me his unbelievable picture collection and told me amazing stories of great people and exciting adventures. His stories and his character are sheer inspiration and I am fortunate to have such a good friend.
Over the next two weeks we traveled around the Kumamoto area from the smoking volcano caldera of Mt. Aso to the bright lights of the city, to the quiet ways of my town and the ones close by. We didn't go on any epic adventures since our funds were low and my old friend was nearing the end of his 5 month trek across southeast Asia, and he was a bit weary, to say the least. He was utterly happy to have free internet, a coffee maker, all the bread he could ever ask for and a few books. He made an appearance at our Christmas party (belting out `Soulja boy` lyrics and dance moves in the karaoke room) where he immediately became a favorite to all of my friends and continued to grace them with his presence at every dinner and social gathering after that. Of course they loved him and of course we all had an amazing time together. One I will not soon forget.
In between eating good food and enjoying the company of the good people around here, we got to spend a lot of time catching up and chatting about life. We relaxed, watched movies and even worked out a few times. Along with his catching up on the net, Dan even managed to come into a few of my classes to teach about his travels. The school was very pleased to see him and the students were ecstatic to have another foreigner in their classroom. It takes a lot of guts to come and teach on the fly to a class you don`t know and a language that you don't speak, so props to him for doing such a great job! I quickly got used to having a roommate and it goes without words that I will be sad to see him go. I am excited for him though, it is time for him spread his story to the people back home and enjoy the comfort of Colorado before the road calls his name again.
Time truly flies. It seemed to be such a long ways away when I would see him again, and I remember watching him ride his bike away on that hot July night thinking December is forever away, yet letting his words of "It will come faster than you think" echo in the back of my mind. And now it is almost over. He leaves tomorrow. Which gives me reason to think that although July seems so far away now, it will once again sneak up on me and I will be overwhelmed with emotion as I have to say goodbye the the people and the country I have fallen in love with. It will always boggle my mind how time seems to pass us by so quietly, yet so intensely. And how it leaves such a powerful, yet invisible mark upon us.
Seeing that I cannot wrap my brain around the intricacies of this abstract concept, I am obviously having trouble putting it into words. All I can say is that I have had more realizations about life and time and the beauty of the confusion than I ever thought I could since I have been here. I know I will be freely welcoming many more in the next few months.
Straying away from my mind's wanderings for a minute I will bring you (the highly focused, or perhaps confused, reader) back to the present, back today. December 12th to be exact. Friday. Good thing because even though I took a day off this week, it was beginning to get a little long. I am getting a little tired of explaining Christmas and singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer to high schoolers. At least some of them seem entertained. Sometimes.
This weekend will surely prove to be bittersweet with a birthday fiesta tonight, Dan leaving tomorrow, and cleaning, catching up and hopefully getting organized the rest of the time.
Believe it or not I have exactly 10 days until I leave to meet my family in South Korea so we can make our way down to Thailand, so just as I am trying to catch my breath again, it will be taken away shortly. I have a lot to do around the old apartment in order to get ready to go and I have a feeling it will be a busy week at school as well. I don't think I can say it enough, but I can't wait to go! I am excited to see the world beyond what I have come to know here.
So I somewhat glazed over details this time, but since it has been so long (and seeing that this post is already so long) I am sure it is understandable if not welcomed. I will let you get on with your lives now, but I will be back soon! There will always be something that is more or less incredible to share to the world from Nippon, the Land of the Rising Sun.
It has been a while, I am aware, but I have valid excuses to which you will read in only a few short words. So hold on to your seats because we are going to time travel back to about three weeks ago.
So I had just finished up the culture fest weekend and was slowly moving into my week of my radio debut and teaching. The days were filled with journal writing, a few scattered classes, some random studying and the nights were filled with dinner with friends, movies, skyping, a little working out and birthday celebrations heading into the weekend. We ventured into the city on that Friday hitting up our favorite Chinese restaurant and that guided me into the rest of the weekend of shopping, movies, festival-ing and social gatherings.
The festival Cassandra and I went to seemed particularly dangerous and watching half naked men run alongside wild horses got a bit old after a while, so we didn't stay the whole time. It was extremely interesting to see how the Japanese love their festivals. Just as I love my festival food. I got a few videos of the chaos I will probably be posting shortly.
That was the dreadful weekend my internet left me and didn't come back for about a week. Needless to say I was pretty devastated and my poor friends got an ear full of complaining from me. On top of being frustrated from not having internet I was having to stay late at school to record for the English listening tests and maybe because of that or it might have just been a coincidence, but I was hit hard that week with another dose of culture shock. It was a frustrating and difficult week for me, but as all bad things do, it ended and I was able to talk to my family on Thanksgiving, go out for my friend's birthday and somehow, miraculously, my internet came back to me Saturday morning. I knew it couldn't stay away for long. The mystery remains though of why it left in the first place. Maybe I was getting too clingy.
At the end of the week I was able to appreciate my time away from the computer and take a step back to realize that not having internet and staying late at school every once in a while weren't really all that bad. I even went on to admit to myself I have things pretty darn good. Aside from being overjoyed that my internet was up and running again, I was getting ready and excited for our Thanksgiving feast and of course for my good buddy Dan to come.
Well Thanksgiving FEAST we did. There is no holding back when it comes to these JET potlucks and I was extremely impressed by the delicious and creative dishes. There was chicken, there were potatoes, there were pizza roll things, there was banana bread (made in a rice cooker), there was chocolate pudding, there was corn, there was pumpkin black bean soup, there was even HOMEMADE pumpkin pie. And mac and cheese. Kraft even. We ate until our hearts content (I think my heart was about to have an attack) and enjoyed each other's company into the night.
Our drive home would have been equally enjoyable if we hadn't been flagged down and forced out of the car by the cops. Ok, so I made it sound worse than it really was. The police were doing routine breathalyzers and after giving our responsible driver one (she was in the clear, don't worry!), they realized that there were five people in the car. After some pointing and some broken and confusing words we finally understood that apparently four people is the limit for these small cars. Luckily our plan was to drop someone off at the station a few miles down the road anyway, so the waiting on the side of the road wasn't that bad. Seeing that we were all foreigners, they didn't fine us (thankfully) and we were eventually able to go on our way.
The next day I had a lot of plans to do something, but it turned into a lot of nothing which, in turn, was the best thing I ever decided to do. Sitting at my computer at about 1 in the afternoon I hear my doorbell ring. Knowing that Dan would be coming anytime my heart jumped a bit, but before I got to the door I convinced myself it was the Japanese Jehovah's Witnesses again. But after opening the door the face I saw looking back at me was one that I had seen a thousand times before and I could not have been more excited to see a tired, but smiling Dan standing on my door step!! Unbelievable! He had made it to my door with nothing but a map, some peanut butter, my address and his thumb all the way from Tokyo. After exchanging hugs and smiles we sat down and I had Dan tell me his story starting from most recent all the way back to July.
Now, not all in one sitting did he shower his experiences on me, but through the next two weeks I would learn more than I ever thought I could about not just traveling, but perception, understanding, culture and just the beauty of the world as well as the strength of a person. He showed me his unbelievable picture collection and told me amazing stories of great people and exciting adventures. His stories and his character are sheer inspiration and I am fortunate to have such a good friend.
Over the next two weeks we traveled around the Kumamoto area from the smoking volcano caldera of Mt. Aso to the bright lights of the city, to the quiet ways of my town and the ones close by. We didn't go on any epic adventures since our funds were low and my old friend was nearing the end of his 5 month trek across southeast Asia, and he was a bit weary, to say the least. He was utterly happy to have free internet, a coffee maker, all the bread he could ever ask for and a few books. He made an appearance at our Christmas party (belting out `Soulja boy` lyrics and dance moves in the karaoke room) where he immediately became a favorite to all of my friends and continued to grace them with his presence at every dinner and social gathering after that. Of course they loved him and of course we all had an amazing time together. One I will not soon forget.
In between eating good food and enjoying the company of the good people around here, we got to spend a lot of time catching up and chatting about life. We relaxed, watched movies and even worked out a few times. Along with his catching up on the net, Dan even managed to come into a few of my classes to teach about his travels. The school was very pleased to see him and the students were ecstatic to have another foreigner in their classroom. It takes a lot of guts to come and teach on the fly to a class you don`t know and a language that you don't speak, so props to him for doing such a great job! I quickly got used to having a roommate and it goes without words that I will be sad to see him go. I am excited for him though, it is time for him spread his story to the people back home and enjoy the comfort of Colorado before the road calls his name again.
Time truly flies. It seemed to be such a long ways away when I would see him again, and I remember watching him ride his bike away on that hot July night thinking December is forever away, yet letting his words of "It will come faster than you think" echo in the back of my mind. And now it is almost over. He leaves tomorrow. Which gives me reason to think that although July seems so far away now, it will once again sneak up on me and I will be overwhelmed with emotion as I have to say goodbye the the people and the country I have fallen in love with. It will always boggle my mind how time seems to pass us by so quietly, yet so intensely. And how it leaves such a powerful, yet invisible mark upon us.
Seeing that I cannot wrap my brain around the intricacies of this abstract concept, I am obviously having trouble putting it into words. All I can say is that I have had more realizations about life and time and the beauty of the confusion than I ever thought I could since I have been here. I know I will be freely welcoming many more in the next few months.
Straying away from my mind's wanderings for a minute I will bring you (the highly focused, or perhaps confused, reader) back to the present, back today. December 12th to be exact. Friday. Good thing because even though I took a day off this week, it was beginning to get a little long. I am getting a little tired of explaining Christmas and singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer to high schoolers. At least some of them seem entertained. Sometimes.
This weekend will surely prove to be bittersweet with a birthday fiesta tonight, Dan leaving tomorrow, and cleaning, catching up and hopefully getting organized the rest of the time.
Believe it or not I have exactly 10 days until I leave to meet my family in South Korea so we can make our way down to Thailand, so just as I am trying to catch my breath again, it will be taken away shortly. I have a lot to do around the old apartment in order to get ready to go and I have a feeling it will be a busy week at school as well. I don't think I can say it enough, but I can't wait to go! I am excited to see the world beyond what I have come to know here.
So I somewhat glazed over details this time, but since it has been so long (and seeing that this post is already so long) I am sure it is understandable if not welcomed. I will let you get on with your lives now, but I will be back soon! There will always be something that is more or less incredible to share to the world from Nippon, the Land of the Rising Sun.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Breathing Underwater
I would really like to refer to the old phrase `time flies` right now, because wasn't I just leaving for Japan? Wasn't I just graduating college? Wait, wasn't I just starting college? Wasn't it yesterday I graduated high school?! Where has the time gone??
I find it hard to believe that November is almost over and with the way December looks, I might as well prepare myself for it to fly by as well. It`s hard to imagine that in a few short days my 4 month anniversary of living in Japan will be behind me. And in one month from today I will be leaving to meet my family in Thailand. Again, I must say, unbelievable.
Considering I haven`t had a full week this month, it has flown by at alarming rates. I have had limited classes (thank goodness--the kids are getting rowdy for some reason) and a good dose of culture lately, which is always invigorating. I feel that if I don`t do something with the Japanese, around the Japanese or something that is Japanese then I am becoming a flat Stanley. Remember that book? I think he had more character than he looked, but in my case, I feel as though I am not truly soaking in the culture when I hide myself away in my English world. Although, as my last post said, there are just some days where avoiding the outside world is just what I want. It`s an interesting balance and although I have never been an extremely moody person, I sure am a moody culture shocker. One day I am loving it, the next I am mad at every little thing, the next I am thinking I could stay here for longer then just this year only to wake up the next day and think `I can`t wait to go home`. I know--moody. So who knows.
All I know is that I am genuinely excited about life, so that can`t be half bad! The past few weeks have been somewhat of a blur as I have been trying to work out, going to watch movies or have dinner with friends, catching up with people back home, thinking about the future, reading, writing and thinking about things like cleaning and organizing. Notice I said thinking, now if only I could get to doing.
Last weekend was culture fest or bunkasai at both of my schools so I went to Ogawa on Saturday and Mastubase on Sunday. Of course both schools had opening ceremonies which are not as exciting as they sound, and then the festivities began! There was food, there was dancing, there was art, there was music and there was Japanese written all over everything. And because of that things ran smoothly and the schools did an amazing job. I spent the days watching plays (which I didn`t understand, obviously), some embarrassing karaoke, aerobics, choir and band, fashion shows, dancing, and eating all of the great food the students cooked. Although these students are not good at English, they excel in what they love. At Ogawa they build motor cars and race them, they make book shelves, benches, paper models of castles, bamboo structures, crazy blue prints and wonderful art and delicious food. At Mastubase they also make delicious food along with dresses (including a WEDDING dress), Kimonos, more clothes, sculptures, paintings, giant origami, entire classrooms made out of cardboard mazes or tapped completely black for a glow-in-the-dark display. They do lovely calligraphy, put on great shows and make some impressive curry rice. Needless to say I was extremely impressed and I had to keep asking myself `this was made by the students in MY class?` I guess people are motivated to do what they love. Too bad no one loves English :(
Oh yes, and did I mention, aside from watching people sing, I sang as well? Did I mention that it was in font of the entire school? Did I say that all of the students and the teachers and even the parents were there? Well they were and, let me tell you, was quite the display. We were singing the song `Can't take my Eyes off of You`, and so my part was to run onto the stage during the chorus and sing dramatically, "I LOVE YOU BABY!!!" and all of the rest of the chorus BY MYSELF. Of course I couldn't hear the music and I'm sure I was completely off pitch, but no one seemed to care. I heard the crowd yelling my name and cheering like crazy, so I took that to be a good sign. I even wore my sunglasses to up my rock star status a little more. At the end I tossed a bouquet of plastic flowers into the audience and said into the mic "Thank you! I love you Matsubase!" while pumping my fists and bowing. Afterward I was kicking myself for not saying anything in Japanese, but when you are a big star like me, you gotta keep your English status. Can`t have those kids thinking you know any Japanese. So that was fun and embarrassing and totally ridiculous, but I loved it. If I knew what was good for me I would quit right here and now and go into show biz. But I don't, and I have never, so I won't. But I will be signing autographs next Wed. at 6 pm just in case....
So culture fest was great and I enjoyed both days. On Saturday night I ended up going to a teacher's house from my friend's school and we painted watercolor fruit before having a feast. I haven`t painted in years and it was surprisingly relaxing and fun. I thought I would get antsy, but I was definitely 'in the zone', and painted some carrots, peppers and bananas to put up in my kitchen. Lovely!
This week started out with a delicious dinner with friends on Sunday and a fun radio recording on Monday. My friend Dru and I went into the city to record the prefectual English test for all second and third grade students (juniors and seniors) with some of his teachers. I think we did a great job and being there made us want to have our own radio station. It was fun feeling so official and I got to do my very official sounding English voice which I have been practicing for years, but never been able to use. Finally! My chance came! Remember, Wed, 6 pm...After our big debut, Dru and I met up with our friend Lander and we enjoyed some Indian dinner and the wonderful movie `Dumb and Dumber` before I went back home.
The rest of this week has been FREEZING. Unfortunately, there is no central heating here so you rely on a few things:
1. Your electric heater
2. Kerosene heater
3. Lots of blankets
4. Your fleece jacket
5. Your stove
6. Your hot water
I have never been a particularly cold person--I am usually too hot before I am too cold, but this week I have not been able to shake the chills. I would much rather be too cold though! I stand by my statement! Hopefully it will warm up...if not...well then...I will just have to go to heated stores all night. So this week I have experienced a few things. Some of which have been good and some of which have been bad. Let me enlighten my reader:
1. The drop in temperature
2. The drop in motivation to ride my bike places in this temperature
3. They sell HEATED drinks in the vending machine, not just cold. Hot cocoa here I come!
4. They also sell heated soups. Yesterday I had a lovely corn soup, which started out good and ended up making me gag a little
5. I saw sumo practice! They were young boys about 8-11ish standing out in the freezing cold with their little cloths on near a rice field, practicing sumo. It was quite the experience.
6. When I went to pay my gas bill I walked around the Matsubase Shinto shrine and it was beautiful. I don`t know why I haven`t been there yet. But how many times can you say you went to a Shinto shrine after work and before paying your gas bill? Only in Japan.
7. Falling off my bike
8. Falling up the stairs three times in one day (I know--what the heck?)
So it has been a interesting week to say the least. Tonight I am planning on working out with Jess and then having a small dinner/movie gathering at my apartment. The rest of the weekend looked like it was going to be pretty free at first, but it is beginning to fill up quickly. It will be spent celebrating b-day dinners, cleaning, shopping, festival-ing, more b-day celebrating and preparing for good ol Dan to come visit. He will be here late next week. I am ecstatic. My hands are freezing off so I think I am going to make use of those heated beverages in the vending machines and make like cheetah in the grasslands...?
Ha. Signing off from the future and things are looking pretty good (minus global warming and the failing economic state)!
I find it hard to believe that November is almost over and with the way December looks, I might as well prepare myself for it to fly by as well. It`s hard to imagine that in a few short days my 4 month anniversary of living in Japan will be behind me. And in one month from today I will be leaving to meet my family in Thailand. Again, I must say, unbelievable.
Considering I haven`t had a full week this month, it has flown by at alarming rates. I have had limited classes (thank goodness--the kids are getting rowdy for some reason) and a good dose of culture lately, which is always invigorating. I feel that if I don`t do something with the Japanese, around the Japanese or something that is Japanese then I am becoming a flat Stanley. Remember that book? I think he had more character than he looked, but in my case, I feel as though I am not truly soaking in the culture when I hide myself away in my English world. Although, as my last post said, there are just some days where avoiding the outside world is just what I want. It`s an interesting balance and although I have never been an extremely moody person, I sure am a moody culture shocker. One day I am loving it, the next I am mad at every little thing, the next I am thinking I could stay here for longer then just this year only to wake up the next day and think `I can`t wait to go home`. I know--moody. So who knows.
All I know is that I am genuinely excited about life, so that can`t be half bad! The past few weeks have been somewhat of a blur as I have been trying to work out, going to watch movies or have dinner with friends, catching up with people back home, thinking about the future, reading, writing and thinking about things like cleaning and organizing. Notice I said thinking, now if only I could get to doing.
Last weekend was culture fest or bunkasai at both of my schools so I went to Ogawa on Saturday and Mastubase on Sunday. Of course both schools had opening ceremonies which are not as exciting as they sound, and then the festivities began! There was food, there was dancing, there was art, there was music and there was Japanese written all over everything. And because of that things ran smoothly and the schools did an amazing job. I spent the days watching plays (which I didn`t understand, obviously), some embarrassing karaoke, aerobics, choir and band, fashion shows, dancing, and eating all of the great food the students cooked. Although these students are not good at English, they excel in what they love. At Ogawa they build motor cars and race them, they make book shelves, benches, paper models of castles, bamboo structures, crazy blue prints and wonderful art and delicious food. At Mastubase they also make delicious food along with dresses (including a WEDDING dress), Kimonos, more clothes, sculptures, paintings, giant origami, entire classrooms made out of cardboard mazes or tapped completely black for a glow-in-the-dark display. They do lovely calligraphy, put on great shows and make some impressive curry rice. Needless to say I was extremely impressed and I had to keep asking myself `this was made by the students in MY class?` I guess people are motivated to do what they love. Too bad no one loves English :(
Oh yes, and did I mention, aside from watching people sing, I sang as well? Did I mention that it was in font of the entire school? Did I say that all of the students and the teachers and even the parents were there? Well they were and, let me tell you, was quite the display. We were singing the song `Can't take my Eyes off of You`, and so my part was to run onto the stage during the chorus and sing dramatically, "I LOVE YOU BABY!!!" and all of the rest of the chorus BY MYSELF. Of course I couldn't hear the music and I'm sure I was completely off pitch, but no one seemed to care. I heard the crowd yelling my name and cheering like crazy, so I took that to be a good sign. I even wore my sunglasses to up my rock star status a little more. At the end I tossed a bouquet of plastic flowers into the audience and said into the mic "Thank you! I love you Matsubase!" while pumping my fists and bowing. Afterward I was kicking myself for not saying anything in Japanese, but when you are a big star like me, you gotta keep your English status. Can`t have those kids thinking you know any Japanese. So that was fun and embarrassing and totally ridiculous, but I loved it. If I knew what was good for me I would quit right here and now and go into show biz. But I don't, and I have never, so I won't. But I will be signing autographs next Wed. at 6 pm just in case....
So culture fest was great and I enjoyed both days. On Saturday night I ended up going to a teacher's house from my friend's school and we painted watercolor fruit before having a feast. I haven`t painted in years and it was surprisingly relaxing and fun. I thought I would get antsy, but I was definitely 'in the zone', and painted some carrots, peppers and bananas to put up in my kitchen. Lovely!
This week started out with a delicious dinner with friends on Sunday and a fun radio recording on Monday. My friend Dru and I went into the city to record the prefectual English test for all second and third grade students (juniors and seniors) with some of his teachers. I think we did a great job and being there made us want to have our own radio station. It was fun feeling so official and I got to do my very official sounding English voice which I have been practicing for years, but never been able to use. Finally! My chance came! Remember, Wed, 6 pm...After our big debut, Dru and I met up with our friend Lander and we enjoyed some Indian dinner and the wonderful movie `Dumb and Dumber` before I went back home.
The rest of this week has been FREEZING. Unfortunately, there is no central heating here so you rely on a few things:
1. Your electric heater
2. Kerosene heater
3. Lots of blankets
4. Your fleece jacket
5. Your stove
6. Your hot water
I have never been a particularly cold person--I am usually too hot before I am too cold, but this week I have not been able to shake the chills. I would much rather be too cold though! I stand by my statement! Hopefully it will warm up...if not...well then...I will just have to go to heated stores all night. So this week I have experienced a few things. Some of which have been good and some of which have been bad. Let me enlighten my reader:
1. The drop in temperature
2. The drop in motivation to ride my bike places in this temperature
3. They sell HEATED drinks in the vending machine, not just cold. Hot cocoa here I come!
4. They also sell heated soups. Yesterday I had a lovely corn soup, which started out good and ended up making me gag a little
5. I saw sumo practice! They were young boys about 8-11ish standing out in the freezing cold with their little cloths on near a rice field, practicing sumo. It was quite the experience.
6. When I went to pay my gas bill I walked around the Matsubase Shinto shrine and it was beautiful. I don`t know why I haven`t been there yet. But how many times can you say you went to a Shinto shrine after work and before paying your gas bill? Only in Japan.
7. Falling off my bike
8. Falling up the stairs three times in one day (I know--what the heck?)
So it has been a interesting week to say the least. Tonight I am planning on working out with Jess and then having a small dinner/movie gathering at my apartment. The rest of the weekend looked like it was going to be pretty free at first, but it is beginning to fill up quickly. It will be spent celebrating b-day dinners, cleaning, shopping, festival-ing, more b-day celebrating and preparing for good ol Dan to come visit. He will be here late next week. I am ecstatic. My hands are freezing off so I think I am going to make use of those heated beverages in the vending machines and make like cheetah in the grasslands...?
Ha. Signing off from the future and things are looking pretty good (minus global warming and the failing economic state)!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
"I gotta hide away, far away"
Konnchiwa from the big island!
Upon coming on my blog to do my somewhat weekly update I realized there was nothing to really update. Things have been rather quiet around here and I am taking full advantage of that! In fact, after giving up on listening to my Japanese cd (in some attempt to subconsciously learn the language while I surfed the web), I have put on some soothing harp music. The rest of the day has been spent sleeping in, reading, writing a bit, eating and just taking it easy. I wish I could say I deserved it, but I don't so much feel that way.
Although in my defense against myself, I did teach a lot of classes on Thursday and Friday over the Presidential Elections and American gestures. Very closely related...if you think about it...Minus a few sleepy classes and a few boys who thought some English cussing was funny, it wasn't so bad, just tiring. The actual teaching isn't so bad, but the part where I have to be excited about everything since they don't know what I'm saying is a big tiring. I wasn't really that excited about gestures, but I had to act like it was the greatest thing in the world. And so goes the life of teaching...
Speaking of the election I would like to say congrats to the new President and hope that Mr. O can actually do what he talks about. People all around the world were rejoycing, and it is unbelievable to know that is how what we do in the U.S. effects the entire world. I was asking Japanese people about who they thought would win, and everyone, without a doubt, said Obama. It sure does feel pretty amazing to be here for such a historical moment. I can look back and tell the grandkids, "I was in Japan when the first African American President was elected, and I was lucky enough to be able to vote from there." And then I will probably continue on with a story I told them ten times already. They will love it.
Back to local news, this week is another sort one with a random no-schooler on Wednesday. This is because we have the big culture festival next week so they give you make up days since we have to devote our o-so precious weekends to school related functions. Both of my schools are having them and I have been asked to help decorate bamboo lanterns in one and to SING in another. I'm pretty sure the singing is choir style, but I would not be the least bit surprised if they told me I was singing some part by myself. Upon hearing that I would laugh and then explain to them as nicely as possible, I don't sing. At least not the kind of singing you want to hear. Thanks for the offer though.
Other than that I am going to try to keep up on the swimming and running and keep down on the eating. Speaking of eating, I am thinking about organizing a Thanksgiving for me and some of my friends, so I think that will be interesting. It is my intention that everyone brings something, but since there are no ovens I can't go to my fail safe idea of baking brownies. I also can't go for my other option of just buying some sort of dessert like treat at the store. Hum, I guess this one will require some creative thought on my part. Not that I am going to try and cook, I will just have to buy some foods and throw them together, hoping people will enjoy that.
The weather is starting to get a lot cooler and my package from my parents arrived just in time! It was full of winter clothes and a book that I read as soon as I opened the box. Getting the package home was a little bit more difficult since I had no trusty drivers this time, but luckily big red (my bike) was able to help me out and I could lean the package on the basket and hold it as I walked home. It was not the most pleasant of walks because everyone and their mother just about broke their necks staring at me. You would think I'd be used to it by now, but there are just some days that I would really rather them NOT stare. It so happens that when I can avoid the staring public, I do. Well, when I am in the mood I guess. Which consists of what I am doing right now--not venturing out into the Japanese world. There are just some days where it is nice not to have to put up with it.
Most of the time I am ok with it and I just don't think twice about it. And just so people don't think I am 100% hobbit, I am going to go out a little later. So don't worry!
Because of short weeks, I think this month should go by a little faster and then it will be December! We have our mid year conference at the beginning and then just two weeks of school before I get to take my winter vacation with the family. I am going to burst with excitement when the time comes. Until then I will do what I can around here to get ready. Which would be save money and save money. Yup.
Now I will venture out into the world. And write a lesson for tomorrow. Until next time, may the wind always be at your side and the money always flow your way. That's always the hope, right?
Upon coming on my blog to do my somewhat weekly update I realized there was nothing to really update. Things have been rather quiet around here and I am taking full advantage of that! In fact, after giving up on listening to my Japanese cd (in some attempt to subconsciously learn the language while I surfed the web), I have put on some soothing harp music. The rest of the day has been spent sleeping in, reading, writing a bit, eating and just taking it easy. I wish I could say I deserved it, but I don't so much feel that way.
Although in my defense against myself, I did teach a lot of classes on Thursday and Friday over the Presidential Elections and American gestures. Very closely related...if you think about it...Minus a few sleepy classes and a few boys who thought some English cussing was funny, it wasn't so bad, just tiring. The actual teaching isn't so bad, but the part where I have to be excited about everything since they don't know what I'm saying is a big tiring. I wasn't really that excited about gestures, but I had to act like it was the greatest thing in the world. And so goes the life of teaching...
Speaking of the election I would like to say congrats to the new President and hope that Mr. O can actually do what he talks about. People all around the world were rejoycing, and it is unbelievable to know that is how what we do in the U.S. effects the entire world. I was asking Japanese people about who they thought would win, and everyone, without a doubt, said Obama. It sure does feel pretty amazing to be here for such a historical moment. I can look back and tell the grandkids, "I was in Japan when the first African American President was elected, and I was lucky enough to be able to vote from there." And then I will probably continue on with a story I told them ten times already. They will love it.
Back to local news, this week is another sort one with a random no-schooler on Wednesday. This is because we have the big culture festival next week so they give you make up days since we have to devote our o-so precious weekends to school related functions. Both of my schools are having them and I have been asked to help decorate bamboo lanterns in one and to SING in another. I'm pretty sure the singing is choir style, but I would not be the least bit surprised if they told me I was singing some part by myself. Upon hearing that I would laugh and then explain to them as nicely as possible, I don't sing. At least not the kind of singing you want to hear. Thanks for the offer though.
Other than that I am going to try to keep up on the swimming and running and keep down on the eating. Speaking of eating, I am thinking about organizing a Thanksgiving for me and some of my friends, so I think that will be interesting. It is my intention that everyone brings something, but since there are no ovens I can't go to my fail safe idea of baking brownies. I also can't go for my other option of just buying some sort of dessert like treat at the store. Hum, I guess this one will require some creative thought on my part. Not that I am going to try and cook, I will just have to buy some foods and throw them together, hoping people will enjoy that.
The weather is starting to get a lot cooler and my package from my parents arrived just in time! It was full of winter clothes and a book that I read as soon as I opened the box. Getting the package home was a little bit more difficult since I had no trusty drivers this time, but luckily big red (my bike) was able to help me out and I could lean the package on the basket and hold it as I walked home. It was not the most pleasant of walks because everyone and their mother just about broke their necks staring at me. You would think I'd be used to it by now, but there are just some days that I would really rather them NOT stare. It so happens that when I can avoid the staring public, I do. Well, when I am in the mood I guess. Which consists of what I am doing right now--not venturing out into the Japanese world. There are just some days where it is nice not to have to put up with it.
Most of the time I am ok with it and I just don't think twice about it. And just so people don't think I am 100% hobbit, I am going to go out a little later. So don't worry!
Because of short weeks, I think this month should go by a little faster and then it will be December! We have our mid year conference at the beginning and then just two weeks of school before I get to take my winter vacation with the family. I am going to burst with excitement when the time comes. Until then I will do what I can around here to get ready. Which would be save money and save money. Yup.
Now I will venture out into the world. And write a lesson for tomorrow. Until next time, may the wind always be at your side and the money always flow your way. That's always the hope, right?
Sunday, November 2, 2008
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